When a helicopter pilot approaches a helipad at night, the first thing they look for is the green ring of perimeter lights that defines where they are cleared to land. That green boundary — clean, evenly spaced, radiating upward at the right intensity — tells the pilot two things instantly: the landing zone is ahead, and the operation is certified. A missing light, a non-compliant colour, or a dimmed unit does not just fail a regulatory check. It creates a real risk.
Helipad perimeter lighting is one of the most operationally critical elements of any helicopter landing area. This guide explains what it is, what the standards require, and what to look for when specifying it.
What Is Helipad Perimeter Lighting?
Helipad perimeter lights are low-profile, flush-mounted or surface-mounted luminaires installed around the boundary of the Final Approach and Take-Off (FATO) area — the defined zone within which a helicopter begins its final approach manoeuvre and from which the take-off is initiated. The lights mark the edge of this zone visually, both for the incoming pilot and for ground personnel.
In the case of a combined FATO/TLOF (Touchdown and Lift-Off) area — which is common on rooftop helipads and offshore helidecks — the same perimeter lights also mark the boundary of the touchdown zone.
Why Green? The ICAO and CAP 437 Colour Standard
The use of green for helipad perimeter lighting is defined by ICAO Annex 14 (Heliports) and reinforced by CAP 437. The standard prescribes green as the colour for FATO and TLOF boundary lights because it provides the highest contrast against the surrounding environment at night — particularly against the dark surfaces of rooftop helipads and the dark sea surrounding offshore platforms — and because it is visually distinct from the red, white and amber lights used for other purposes on and around the landing area.
The intensity requirement under ICAO and CAP 437 is typically 32 candela (cd), which is sufficient to provide clear visibility from the approach path without creating glare that would impair the pilot’s night vision.
Understanding FATO and TLOF: Where the Lights Go
On a helipad, the FATO is the designated area within which the pilot performs the final hover before touchdown. Its boundary is marked by the perimeter lights. For most rooftop and offshore installations, the FATO and TLOF are the same area — so the perimeter lights serve both purposes.
The number of lights required depends on the size of the FATO. ICAO specifies a minimum of eight lights, evenly spaced around the perimeter at intervals not exceeding 3 metres. In practice, most helipads use 12 to 24 lights depending on their size.
Key Standards: ICAO, CAP 437, IP66 and Salt Spray
Any perimeter light specified for helipad use must meet the following minimum requirements:
ICAO Annex 14 (Heliports) — defines photometric performance, colour, intensity (32 cd minimum), beam angle and spacing.
CAP 437 — applies to offshore helidecks and specifies the same colour and intensity requirements, with the additional expectation that lights are proven reliable in a marine environment.
IP66 — the enclosure must be rated to IP66 as a minimum, confirming dust-tight and resistance to powerful water jets from any direction.
Salt spray resistance — for offshore and coastal installations, salt spray testing to ASTM B117 / ISO 9227 for a minimum of 240 hours is essential. Unprotected aluminium or poorly coated fixtures will corrode rapidly in a marine environment, leading to premature failure and compliance gaps.
RoHS and ECAS compliance — for supply into the UAE and EU-regulated markets, RoHS and ECAS certification are required.
Onshore vs. Offshore: Different Demands, Same Standard
While the photometric standard is the same for both onshore and offshore helipad perimeter lighting, the environmental demands are very different.
An onshore rooftop helipad in a city centre experiences UV exposure, temperature extremes and rain. An offshore helideck experiences all of those plus constant salt spray, vibration from platform machinery, humidity, and the risk of physical impact. Products specified for offshore use must be engineered with this in mind — not just rated on paper, but tested under real-world conditions.
Hardy Lighting’s green perimeter light is aluminium-bodied with UV-stable powder coating, independently photometric-tested, IP66 rated, and 240-hour salt spray tested. The result is a fixture that performs in both environments without compromise.
What to Look For When Specifying a Green Perimeter Light
Before placing a specification, confirm the following with the manufacturer:
- Does the product hold valid ICAO and CAP 437 compliance documentation — not just self-declaration?
- Is photometric performance independently verified by a third-party institution?
- What is the IP rating, and has it been independently tested?
- Has the product been salt spray tested, and to what duration?
- Is the product available in the standard 32 cd green intensity?
- What are the mounting options, and are spare parts available?
Hardy Lighting’s Green Perimeter Light
Hardy Lighting’s 32 cd green perimeter light is designed, engineered and assembled in the UAE. It carries ICAO, CAP 437, ECAS and RoHS certification, IP66 rating and 240-hour salt spray test certification. Photometric performance is verified by an independent institution, and the product is backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
The unit is in stock and available for immediate dispatch to regional and international projects. Contact Hardy Lighting via WhatsApp or email to request a technical datasheet, compliance certificates, or a quotation for your helipad project.